Red blood cell derived nanocarrier drug delivery system: a promising strategy for tumor therapy (3/2024)

This illustration depicts two primary strategies for nano-drug delivery systems targeting tumor treatment, utilizing red blood cell (RBC) carriers: RBC-hitchhiking and bionic nanomaterials coated with erythrocyte membranes loaded with drugs. Red blood cells are abundantly present in circulation, and their membranes serve as natural carriers for nanomaterial delivery. In the diagram, two major blood vessels extend towards the tumor; the proximal vessels represent nanoparticles coated with RBC membranes, while the distal vessels illustrate the RBC-hitchhiking approach. This review briefly examines the effects of nanoparticles on RBC morphology and function and discusses the application of RBC membranes as nano-drug delivery systems in tumor therapy. This provides a foundation for understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticles and optimizing RBC-based nanocarriers in vivo.